Photo: Unsplash
Chef-owner: Penjan Janburiwong · Opened 2003
Opened 2003 by chef-owner Penjan Janburiwong and now run by her daughter Amy Kridaratikorn. One of only a handful of Thai restaurants in Massachusetts to hold Thailand's official Thai SELECT certification (awarded since 2018).
$15–$30 per person
Porter Square Thai institution since 2003, with a menu that runs 100-plus dishes. Chef-owner Penjan Janburiwong learned to cook from her mother in Nakhon Sri Thammarat and ran the family kitchen from the age of eight. Now operated by Penjan's daughter Amy Kridaratikorn.
The Maitre d' Recommends
The Vibe
Sugar & Spice has been Porter Square's Thai anchor for over 20 years, earning devotion through consistent quality, generous portions, and authentic family recipes. Chef Penjan Janburiwong brought her upbringing and cooking secrets from Thailand, and the results keep Cambridge coming back generation after generation.
Comfortable conversation level
Why It's Great
Twenty Years of Thai Excellence in Porter Square
In a city where restaurants cycle through trends, Sugar & Spice has served Thai food in Porter Square for two decades. That longevity comes from doing everything right: authentic recipes, quality ingredients, portions that satisfy, and prices that respect regulars.
Chef Penjan Janburiwong opened Sugar & Spice with family recipes from Thailand. The menu spans over 100 dishes with 60+ vegetarian and vegan options—enough variety to eat here weekly without repetition. The pad Thai is reliable. The curries are balanced. The tom yum soup warms on cold Cambridge nights.
What keeps people coming back is consistency. Order the green curry on your hundredth visit and it tastes like the first. That reliability matters for neighborhood regulars, for families with children who know what they like, for anyone tired of gambling on new restaurants.
The Harvard Crimson recently called it "reliably delicious and well-portioned"—a description that captures exactly why Sugar & Spice has survived while trendier spots have come and gone.
A weeknight dinner when you want Thai food done right, without surprises.
Pad Thai
The classic, done reliably well
Green Curry
Balanced heat and coconut richness
Tom Yum Soup
Hot and sour perfection for cold days
Massaman Curry
Complex, warming, and vegetarian-friendly
Why It's In Our Guide
Sugar & Spice represents twenty years of reliable Thai excellence in Porter Square. The consistent quality and family recipes make it essential for Cambridge Thai dining.
“Reliably delicious and well-portioned.”
— Harvard Crimson“Twenty years of Thai excellence in Porter Square.”
— Cambridge ChroniclePorter Square families have passed Sugar & Spice down as a recommendation. The consistency creates generational loyalty.
Insider Tips
Weeknights for easy seating. Weekends can be busier.
Walk-ins usually work. Large groups should call.
Comfortable booths for families, tables for larger groups.
Ask about spice levels—they'll customize. Don't overlook the vegetarian section.
Street parking in Porter Square area. Porter T is close.
Ratings & Reviews
Based on 1,801 reviews
1,234 reviews
Updated 2024-12
567 reviews
Updated 2024-12
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes—the menu includes over 60 vegetarian and vegan options, making it one of the most vegetarian-friendly Thai restaurants in Cambridge.
Reddit Mentions
Contact Details
1933 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140
Lunch: Mon-Fri 11:30AM-3PM, Dinner: Daily 5PM-10PM
10 min walk from Porter
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